Description
Enjoy these Crispy Air Fryer Pizza Potato Skins, combining perfectly air-fried Russet potato skins with gooey mozzarella cheese, zesty marinara sauce, and crispy pepperoni. They make a delicious appetizer or snack that’s quick to prepare and packed with Italian-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 4 medium-sized baking potatoes (Russet potatoes recommended)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
Toppings
- ½ cup marinara sauce (or pizza sauce)
- 1 cup finely grated full-fat mozzarella cheese
- 16 slices pepperoni (cup and char or regular)
Instructions
- Prepare the potatoes: Scrub the baking potatoes clean and blot dry thoroughly with a paper towel to ensure crispiness during cooking.
- Pre-cook the potatoes: Pierce holes in each potato using a fork. Brush each potato with olive oil and sprinkle with fine sea salt. Air fry the potatoes at 400°F for about 40 minutes or until they are fork tender. Alternatively, you can bake them in the oven at 400°F for 50-60 minutes. Allow the potatoes to cool just enough to handle safely.
- Scoop the potato flesh: Cut each potato in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out most of the flesh, leaving approximately ¼ inch thickness inside the skin to maintain structure for stuffing.
- Crisp the skins: Place the potato skins back into the air fryer basket with the skin side up. Air fry at 400°F for 3-4 minutes to crisp up the skins further.
- Add toppings: Remove the skins carefully from the basket and place them flesh side up on a work surface. Spread about 1 tablespoon of marinara sauce on each potato half. Then, top each with 2 tablespoons of finely grated mozzarella cheese and 2 slices of pepperoni. Adjust the amount if your potato skins are larger.
- Final air fry: Return the topped potato skins to the air fryer at 400°F for 4-5 minutes until the cheese has melted thoroughly and the pepperoni slices become crispy.
- Serve: Serve the crispy pizza potato skins hot with extra marinara sauce on the side and freshly chopped parsley or basil for garnish.
Notes
- Russet potatoes work best for crispy skins due to their starchy nature.
- Ensure potatoes are dry before air frying to achieve maximum crispiness.
- You can substitute pepperoni with other favorite pizza toppings like cooked sausage, mushrooms, or olives.
- Leftover potato flesh can be saved for mashed potatoes or another recipe.
- For a spicier kick, add crushed red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce before topping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
